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Patriots Report Card: Brandon Deaderick Flies Under Radar, Helps Propel Shorthanded Defense to Big Win

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Patriots bounced back from two straight losses with an identity-defining victory against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, and there was a lot more to it than the 37-16 victory suggests.

Let’s break out the first set of passing grades since before the bye week.

OFFENSE

Jeff Howe: A

They posted 30 points against the Jets for the second time this season. That is not an accomplishment that should be taken lightly.

What grade would you give the Patriots offense?

DEFENSE

Jeff Howe: A-  

 It wasn’t perfect by any means, but they did it without safety Patrick Chung, linebacker Brandon Spikes and cornerback Devin McCourty (for two-plus quarters). And linebacker Rob Ninkovich sealed the game with a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

What grade would you give the Patriots defense?

SPECIAL TEAMS

Jeff Howe: A-

Stephen Gostkowski‘s 50-yard field goal put the Patriots on the board and looked even bigger after Nick Folk missed a short one on the other end. And for the most part, they contained kick returner Joe McKnight.

What grade would you give the Patriots special teams?

COACHING

Jeff Howe: A- I thought the newest defensive adjustment might have been the smartest thing they’ve done this season, using a four-man line combination of Andre Carter, Brandon Deaderick, Vince Wilfork and Mark Anderson. The Jets weren’t prepared to counter it.

What grade would you give the Patriots coaching?

JETS

Jeff Howe: C- At what point do you stop crediting the Patriots in order to slam the Jets? It’s a tough question, but at the very least, the Jets’ turnovers were a killer.

What grade would you give the Jets?

MVP

Jeff Howe: Andre Carter

He set a team record with 4.5 sacks, so that’s pretty good.

UNSUNG HERO

Jeff Howe: Brandon Deaderick

He played defensive tackle in the four-man line for an extended amount of time for the first time in his NFL career. He didn’t record a single statistic, but he was part of the game plan that propelled the defense.